CSC3412 System and Security Administration

Staffing

Examiner: Leigh Brookshaw
Moderator: Zhongwei Zhang

Other requisites

Recommended pre-requisite: CSC2408 and CSC2404

Rationale

System and security administration is management and configuration of one or more computers with multiple operating systems, multiple hardware architectures, multiple software suites, together with the shared resources necessary, such as wired and wireless networks, to make them work effectively and securely. System administration requires an understanding of how computer systems work, an attention to detail, problem solving, people skills, security and planning. Computers which function as servers may run Unix-like systems, although others run proprietary software such as Novell, IBM or Microsoft.

Synopsis

This course introduces students to the administration of computer systems and computer networks. Coverage includes system administration tools, security techniques, system initialisation, resource management, backups, performance measurement, and network and security administration. Further topics include documentation policy development and disaster recovery. Practical work requires use of Unix- like operating systems on dedicated Intel-architecture PCs or equivalent hardware and software negotiated with the lecturer prior to commencement of the semester.

Objectives

Topics

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Student workload requirements

Assessment details

Important assessment information

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
   
   
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
   
   
6. Examination information:
   In an Open Examination, candidates may have access to any material during the examination except the following: electronic communication devices, bulky materials, devices requiring mains power and material likely to disturb other students.
   
   
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
   
   
8. University Student Policies:
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/search/category/usq_document_policy_type/Student.1.html.
   
   

Assessment notes

1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
   
   
2. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. If requested, students will be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be despatched to USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request being made.
   
   

Other requirements

1. Computer requirements: Students must have exclusive and fully privileged access to an Intel x 86 architecture PC with at least 500MB free disk space and an unused disk partition.
   
   
2. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least half of the marks available for the examination.